AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS

Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Instead of defending against infections or injury, the immune system becomes dysregulated and begins to create chronic inflammation, often targeting specific organs or systems.

There are over 80 known autoimmune diseases, ranging from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis to lupus, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and celiac disease. In many cases, symptoms start years before a formal diagnosis—and often affect multiple systems in the body.

It’s not just about the immune system—it’s about the environment inside and outside the body that’s shaping the immune response.

Contributors to Autoimmune Activation:

  • Gut permeability (“leaky gut”) and microbiome imbalance

  • Chronic infections (EBV, Lyme, stealth pathogens)

  • Food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, nightshades)

  • Mold and mycotoxins

  • Environmental toxins (pesticides, heavy metals, plastics)

  • Hormonal imbalances and adrenal stress

  • Genetic predisposition (HLA types, MTHFR, etc.)

  • Emotional or physical stress

Symptoms of Autoimmune Dysregulation May Include:

  • Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest

  • Brain fog or difficulty focusing

  • Joint or muscle pain

  • Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, diarrhea)

  • Rashes, hives, or skin inflammation

  • Hair thinning or loss

  • Numbness, tingling, or neurological symptoms

  • Irregular menstrual cycles or infertility

  • Flares of symptoms that come and go

Autoimmune activity often fluctuates—flares may be triggered by stress, illness, environmental exposures, or dietary changes.

Why Functional Medicine Looks Deeper

Rather than focusing only on symptom management, functional medicine asks: Why is the immune system behaving this way? We aim to understand what is driving immune dysregulation and inflammation, and how to calm the immune system by removing triggers, restoring gut function, and supporting immune balance.

Autoimmunity is rarely caused by a single factor. It’s usually a result of multiple imbalances that, together, overwhelm the body’s regulatory capacity.

We often assess:

  • Digestive health and intestinal permeability

  • Inflammatory and immune markers

  • Nutrient status (Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, omega-3s)

  • Food sensitivities and immune reactivity

  • Chronic infections or stealth pathogens

  • Toxic burden from mold, metals, or chemicals

  • Hormonal rhythm and cortisol regulation

How We Support Autoimmune Healing

This approach is individualized, evidence-informed, and paced according to your needs. We work in layers to uncover root causes and support immune regulation, not just suppression.

  • We explore your full history—when symptoms began, how they’ve changed, family history, stress patterns, infections, diet, and environmental exposures—to identify potential triggers and timeline connections.

    • Food sensitivity and gut permeability panels

    • Stool testing (microbiome, infections, inflammation)

    • Viral load or chronic pathogen markers

    • Autoimmune antibody testing

    • Mold, mycotoxins, and toxin burden

    • Nutrient and mitochondrial assessments

    • Restore gut lining integrity and microbial balance

    • Identify and remove food triggers

    • Use herbs, probiotics, and targeted nutrients to reduce inflammation and support tolerance

    • Support adrenal function and circadian rhythm

    • Address HPA axis dysregulation, often underlying flares

    • Regulate blood sugar, insulin, and cortisol

    • Gently reduce exposure to environmental triggers (mold, chemicals, plastics)

    • Optimize liver function, bile flow, and elimination pathways

    • Support cellular repair with antioxidants and mitochondrial nutrients

    • Build metabolic flexibility and nutrient reserves

    • Reinforce immune tolerance

    • Monitor flares and recovery patterns with flexible protocols

Your body is not broken—it’s responding to a combination of stressors and imbalances. Autoimmune conditions don’t develop overnight, and healing takes time—but it is possible. Functional medicine helps identify what’s fueling the immune response and offers a clear, individualized plan to calm inflammation, restore resilience, and help you feel like yourself again.

If you’re living with an autoimmune condition or suspect you may be, this framework may offer the missing context—and a path toward greater clarity and control.